Britain's intention in calling the
conference was simple - to persuade the French to abandon the campaign in
Salonika, which the former regarded as a pointless, wasteful backwater of the
wider offensive. Britain's position was that the Allies could ill-afford
the manpower resources diverted to Salonika while shortages were experienced on
the Western Front and Gallipoli.

Briand and Joffre ultimately
agreed to abandon the Salonika campaign, although not without much reluctant
hesitation. Astonished however by the extent of French popular and
political opposition to the withdrawal however, the French seized the
opportunity presented by the major inter-allied conference
convened at Chantilly
just two days later - at which Joffre fortuitously presided - to reverse the
decision over the heads of the British.

With a continued Allied commitment
to Salonika the British promptly resolved to
evacuate the Gallipoli peninsula;
the decision was however pending in any event.

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Saturday, 22 August, 2009Michael Duffy

"Devil Dogs" was the nickname given to the U.S. Marines by the German Army.